Storage means with shiftable units

ABSTRACT

A series of stroage stacks, such as bookcases, are mounted on a track with controlled power means for moving them to provide a single aisle between any two stacks. The remaining stacks are in contact with each other thereby conserving space and lighting means. The movement of the stacks is controlled so that all stacks move together without any separation when an aisle is being changed.

O Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,865,446

Mastronardi Feb. 11, 1975 [54] STORAGE MEANS WITH SHIFTABLE 3,640,5952/1972 Staller 312/198 UNITS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75]Inventor: Pasquale Patrick John Mastronardi, 86l,l44 2/1961 GreatBritain 312/199 Northfield, NJ. [73] Assignee: Estey Corp., Red Bank,NJ. Primary Examiner Robert Spar I Asslstant ExaminerR. B. Johnson [22]Flled: 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James M. Hellman; William 2 App].311,660 0. Heilman; Anthony J. Casella [52] 11.8. CI 312/201, 104/148 R,104/188, [57] ABSTRACT 214H6 B A senes of stroage stacks, such asbookcases, are 51] 1111. c1. ..B60111 1/34, A47b 53/00 mounted a trackwith POWer means [58] Field 111 Search 104/148 R, 149, 15; moving themto Provide a Single aisle between any two 3]2/198 201. 214/16 B stacks.The remaining stacks are in contact with each other thereby conservingspace and lighting means, [56] References Cited The movement of thestacks is controlled so that all stacks move together without anyseparation when an UNITED STATES PATENTS aisle is being changed2,987,200 6/1961 lngold 214/16 B 3,615,122 10/1971 Naito et a1. 312/1998 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 22 2 a? 132600 I 1 F' I/124 PATENTED FEB] 1I975 SHEET 2 or 2 mmECbmm nn STORAGE MEANS WITH SI-IIFTABLE UNITS Aseries of storage stacks, such as bookcases, are mounted on a track withcontrolled power means for moving them in unison to provide a singleaisle between anytwo stacks. The remaining stacks are in contact witheach other thereby conserving space and lighting means. The movement ofthe stacks is controlled so that all the stacks move together withoutany separation when an aisle is being changed.

This application is an improvement on the structure described incopending US. application Ser. No. 69,012, filed Sept. 2, 1970, byTucker and Becker. Both applications are assigned to the same assignee.All the features and structures of this prior application areincorporated herein by reference.

Movable storage stacks for books and small parts have been in use forsome time to conserve space and to add security against unauthorizedremoval of contents. Prior stacks have, in most cases, been difficult tooperate, requiring a sequence of manual operations to open a desiredaisle. Most of the prior stacks have been movable by a sequence ofoperations which included a separation of adjacent stacks when the twohave been moved in the same direction. Such an operation providesopening and closing of spaces between stacks which presents a certainamount of danger to hands or fingers which may be caught in the openspaces.

The present invention includes a control system which is completelyautomatic, being operated by push buttons which anyone can use. When theopening of an aisle requires the movement of two or more stacks, thestacks start at the same time and more together as a unit. This actionsaves time and, as noted above, is a safety feature. While the units aredesigned to be operated by electrical power, the stacks can be pushedmanually with little effort since the wheels are mounted on ballbearings and the stacks are not connected to any chains, operating rods,or power screw means which would act as restraints.

The main feature of the invention is the circuit means which providesfor the simultaneous movement of all the stacks to the right or left ofan aisle to be opened. This is only one of a number of safety featureswhich have been incorporated in the storage means. The other safetyfeatures are not shown or described in this specification since they arenot part of the invention and since they have been fully described inthe above mentioned invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherdetails and features thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a side view of one of thestorage stacks.

FIG. 2 is a side view of all the stacks in one group, showing an openaisle.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the base of one of the stacks,showing the rails, the wheels, and the position of the motor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of connections of the electrical controlsystem which operates the stacks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2,the assembly of storage stacks 10 includes five stacks, two ofwhich arestationary, and three which are movable. If desired, only one of thestacks can be stationary with four movable portions. A sub-floor 12 ismounted under all the stacks and contains the rails (see FIG. 3) whichsupport flanged wheels 14 rotatably secured to the underpart of thestacks by pillow blocks 15. The wheels I4 are secured to a shaft 16driven by an electrical reversible motor 17. Each of the stacks may bedivided into shelves 18 or other compartments for the storage of books,magazines, or machine parts.

A series of lamps 20 is mounted above the stacks, each lamp positionedat a point above an aisle when the stacks are separated. In order toconserve lighting costs, only one of the lamps 20 is lighted at anytime. The lamps include flat reflectors 21 and are secured in positionby two or three supporting bars 22. Most of the circuit elements forcontrolling the lighting and motors are enclosed in a container 23mounted on top of one of the stationary stacks 10. Each movable stackalso contains a local circuit in a box 24 mounted on top of the upperstack shelf.

The stack movement is initiated by an operator depressing a push button25 adjacent to the aisle to be entered. The button 25 operates astepping switch and the first actuation opens the aisle by moving thestacks away from it. After the operator has finished his mission, hepushes the button 25 a second time thereby normalizing part of thecircuit and making the system ready for another aisle opening. When themotors 17 are activated, they move their associated stacks to fill theopen aisle and open up another. As soon as the opening is closed, allthe motors stop. The motor cutoff action is accomplished by a sensingswitch 26. Each movable stack has four such switches 26 mounted at theupper corners on each side of the stack.

The control circuit is shown in schematic form in FIG. 4. The circuit ispowered by sixty hertz from a power line which is connected to terminals27. Three motors 17A, 17B, and 17C are connected across the power line,each being capable of running in either direction. A main winding 28 anda starter winding 30 in series with a capacitor permit the reversibleaction by reversing the current in one of the windings.

A series of six relays 31 through 36 control the actuation and thedirection of the three motors. When none of the relays are actuatedthere is no power supplied to the motors and they do not run. Actuationof any of the three relays 31, 33, or 35 causes the associated motor toturn in a direction which moves its stack to the left. In like manner,actuation of any of the relays 32, 34, or 36 causes the associated motorto move the stack to the right.

One side of each relay winding is connected to a power conductor 37 andone of the terminals 27. The other side of each relay winding isconnected respectively to a pair of the sensing switches 26 which areoperated whenever the stacks are moved close to each other. The otherpower conductor 38 is connected to one side of each starter winding 30,to a normally open contact on each of the motor relays, and to arectifier 40 which supplies direct current to many of the controlcomponents.

In addition to the two normally open contacts on relays 31 through 36, apair of contacts 41, 42, 43, and 44 are mounted on relays 31, 33, 34 and36, to complete a circuit which will bypass four of the sensing switches26 in order to speed up the movement of the stacks and make them movesimultaneously. These circuits will be described in greater detail whenthe operation of the entire control unit is discussed. The bypasscontacts are connected in series with normally closed contacts on aseries of relays which are controlled by the manually operated selectorbuttons 25.

There are four selector buttons 25A through 25D, corresponding to thefour aisles between the five stacks 10. Each button is normally held inits open position by resilient means and, when operated, a circuit isclosed between a common DC. power conductor 45, a relay winding 46, to anegative conductor 47. If the stacks are in the positions as shown inFIG. 2, and button 25B is depressed, then only one stack is to be movedand the short-circuiting contacts 41 through 44 are not operated.However, the operation of moving the single stack will now be describedto show how the basic circuits are actuated.

Depression of button 25B completes a circuit which can be traced fromthe positive terminal of rectifier 40 (FIG. 4) through contacts 48, overconductor 50, through contacts 51, then over conductor 45 to switch 258.The circuit continues through winding 46B to conductor 47 and thenegative terminal of rectifier 40. This action operates five contacts,closing two 52 and 53 and opening three 86, 79, and 92. Contacts 52 areholding contacts and, when closed, send current from conductor 50,through winding 46B to conductor 47 and the negative terminal. Contacts53 complete a circuit which can be traced from the negative terminal,over conductor 47, through contacts 53, diode 54, relay winding 55 toconductor 56 and the negative terminal of rectifier 40. This actionopens contacts 51 and thereby opens the current path which firstoperated winding 468. The winding still passes current because ofholding contacts 52.

When winding 55 receives current, contacts 57 are closed and a circuitis completed from the upper terminal 27 of the A.C. supply, overconductor 38, through contacts 57, over conductor 58, through contacts60, over conductor 61, through switches 26BL, and conductor 62, towinding 63, and conductor 37, to the lower terminal 27 of the A.C.supply. This action actuates relay 31, closing both its contacts to sendalternating current through winding 28, starting motor 17A to move stackB to the left. The stack continues to move to the left until projections26 of switches 26BL make contact with the edge of stationary stack 10Aand the switches are opened. Relay 31 is now normalized as motor 17Astops. However, current still fiows'through winding 46B because of theholding circuit through contacts 52.

When switch 25B is first closed another circuit is completed which maybe traced from the positive terminal of the rectifier, through contacts48, over conductor 50, through contacts 51, switch 25B, diode 64,conductor 65, stepping relay winding 66, and conductor 47 to thenegative terminal. This action attracts relay armature 67, lowering pawl68, closing contacts 70 and 71, and opening contacts 72. When thestepping relay is operated the first time, contacts 70 and 71 are closedas long as the operator keeps button 25B depressed. However, no currentflows through contacts 70 because they are in series with contacts 73which are open at this time. Also, contacts 71 cause no action becausethey are in parallel with closed contacts 48, operated by winding 74.

When the operator removes pressure from switch 258 it is opened andcurrent is cut off from winding 66 thereby permitting armature 67 toreturn to its original position, moved by the force of spring 75. Pawl68 turns the toothed wheel 76 and cam wheel 77 to close both contacts 73and 78. During the time interval between the first and second actuationof switch 25B, when the operator is in the open aisle, relay winding 74receives no current and contacts 48 remain closed.

When the stepping switch is operated the second time, contacts 70 and 71are again closed. This time current is sent through contacts 73 towinding 74 to open contacts 48. When contacts 48 are opened, the lockingcircuit which includes contacts 52 is broken and current is removed fromwinding 46B normalizing all its contacts and restoring the controlcircuit to its original condition. The circuit is now ready for a secondoperator.

Now let it be assumed that the stacks are in the position shown in FIG.2 and that an operator wishes to open the fourth aisle between stacks10D and 10E. The operator depresses button 25D, sending current throughwinding 46D by way of contacts 48, conductor 50, contacts 51, conductor45, contacts 25D, winding 46D, to conductor 47 and the negativeterminal. This action operates the relay closing contacts 82 and 83 andopening contacts 84 and 85. Contacts 82 are locking contacts asdescribed above and retain current in winding 46D after switch 25D isopened. Contacts 83 are the operating contacts and they control thecircuit to activate all three motors 17A, 17B, and 17C to move the threestacks 10B, 10C, and 10D to the left to open the desired aisle.

When contacts 83 are closed, they complete a circuit which may be tracedfrom the rectifier positive terminal over conductor 56, through relaywinding 55, contacts 83 to the negative terminal. This action closescontacts 57 and activates a circuit from the A.C. upper terminal 27,over conductor 38, through contacts 57, conductor 58, contacts 60, 86,and 87. Conductor 88 and 90 are now connected to the A.C. power line,but at this time all the safety switches 26 are held open except 26BL.Current from contacts 60 flows over conductor 61 through safety switches26BL, then over conductor 62 to winding 63 in relay 31, closing all itscontacts and starting motor 17A to move stack 1013 to the left. Contacts41 are closed at this time and a bypass circuit can be traced fromconductor 62 through contacts 41, then over conductor 91, contacts 92,conductor 93, to winding 89 in relay 33, activating it and startingmotor 173 to move stack 10C to the left. When relay 33 is activated,contacts 42 are closed and another bypass circuit is completed which canbe traced from conductor 93, through contacts 42, over conductor 94,through contacts 95, and conductor 96 to winding of relay 35 and thelower terminal of the A.C. supply 27. The two motor contacts on relayare closed and motor 17C is energized to move the third movable stack tothe left. The net result is that all three stacks 10B, 10c, and 10D movetogether without separating to open the aisle between stack 10D and1015. If button 25C had been depressed, stack 10D would not move becausecontacts would then have been opened and the bypass circuit overconductor 96 would be open and relay 35 would not be activated.

If all three movable stacks B, 10C, and 10D are in the left positionwith an open aisle between 10D and 10E, the movement of the stacks tothe right is similar to the action described above because thecorresponding circuits are similar. To move stack 10D to the right,button 25C is depressed and winding 46C receives current, closingcontacts 100 and 101, and opening 87, 102, 103, and 95. As before,contacts 100 are holding contacts, while contacts 101 send a DC. currentthrough winding 55, closing contacts 57. The AC. power then flowsthrough contacts 57 and 84 to conductor 104 and switches 26DR, the onlysafety switches that are now closed. The current continues overconductor 105 to winding 106 in relay 36. The two motor contacts areclosed and motor 17C then moves stack 10D to the right to open an aislebetween stacks 10C and 10D. In this case the motion of a single stackdoes not require the use of a bypass pair of contacts nor a bypassconductor.

If all three movable stacks are on the left and the operator depressesthe 25A button to move all three movable stacks to the right, the motor17C will be energized as described above. Motors 17A and 17B areenergized as follows: When relay winding 46A is activated by switch 25A,contacts 107 and 108 are closed and contacts 60 are opened. This actionsends AC. power through contacts 57, over conductor 58, through contacts84, 102, and 79, thereby applying voltage to conductors 104, 110, and111. Since safety switches 26DR are the only switches closed at thistime conductor 104 is the only conductor of this group carrying current.When motor relay 36 is activated to start motor 17C, contacts 44 areclosed and another bypass circuit is completed. This circuit can betraced from conductor 105 and contacts 44, over conductor 112, tocontacts 85, then over conductor 113 to winding 114 in relay 34, toactivate the relay, close the motor contacts and start motor 17B. Theactuation of relay 34 closes contacts 43 and completes another bypasscircuit which can be traced from conductor 113 and contacts 43, overconductor 115, through contacts 103, then over conductor 116 to winding117 in motor relay 32, to activate the relay, close the two motor stacksmove too close to each other; the improvement which comprises: anormally open pair of relay contacts mounted on one of said relay meansfor comcontacts and start motor 17A to move stack 103 to the right. Thethree stacks 10B, 10C, and 10D move to the right together and whensafety switches 26DR are opened by contact with the face of stack 10E,the entire motor circuit is disabled, stopping all three motors.

The depression of button 258, when all three movable stacks are in theleft position, moves two stacks 10C and 10D by circuits which aresimilar to the ones discribed above.

The embodiments of the invention, in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed, are defined as follows:

1. In a shiftable storage means including a plurality of movable stacks,supporting means for each of said stacks, including a reversibleelectric motor and two relay means for each of said stacks forcontrolling the direction of the motors and stacks, and a plurality ofsafety switches secured to the sides of each movable stack for cuttingoff the current to the motors when the pleting a bypass circuit around asafety switch on an adjacent stack for permitting both stacks to bemoved in unison in a desired direction to open a space between stacks.

2. A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said normally opencontacts are closed whenever the relay, on which said contacts aremounted, is activated.

3. A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein all the safety switchesare each respectively connected in series with an operating winding onsaid relay means for stopping the motor whenever a stack closes anaccess aisle and its safety switch is operated by contact with theadjacent stack.

4. A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bypass circuitincludes the winding of said relay means, a pair of normally closedcontacts on a second relay that remains unactuated during a shiftingoperation, said normally open contacts, the closed safety switchadjoining the open aisle, and a source of alternating current power.

5. A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said relay meansfor controlling the direction of the motors applies AC. power to sendthe stack in one direction and the other of said relay means forcontrolling the same motor applies AC. power to send the motor in thereverse direction.

6. A storage means as claimed in claim 5 wherein one of said normallyopen relay contacts is mounted on each one of said relay means exceptthe relay means that controls the left hand movable stack to move to theright and the relay means that controls the right hand movable stack tomove to the left.

7. A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two safetyswitches mounted on each side of each of the movable stacks, saidswitches being connected in parallel.

8. In a shiftable storage means including a plurality of movable stacks,supporting means for each of said stacks including a reversible electricmotor and two relay means for applying A.C. electrical power to themotors to control their motion and direction, two safety switchessecured to each side of each movable stack for cutting off the AC. powerto the motors when the stacks move too close to each other; theimprovement which comprises; a normally open pair of relay contactsmounted on each of said relay means except therelay means that controlsthe left hand movable stack to move to the right and the relay meansthat controls the right hand movable stack to move to the left; each ofsaid pair of relay contacts connected to a bypass circuit around asafety switch for supplying control power to an adjacent stack forpermitting both stacks to be moved in unison in a desired direction toopen a space between stacks; said bypass circuit including the windingof said relay means, a pair of normally closed contacts on a secondrelay that remains unactuated during a shifting operation, the closedsafety switch adjoining the open aisle, and a source of AD. power.

Notice of Adverse Decision in Interference In Interference No. 100,955,involving Patent No. 3,865,446, P. P. J. Mastronardi, STORAGE MEANS WITHSHIFTABLE UNITS, final judgment adverse to the patentee was rendered May3, 1983, as to claims 1-6 and 8.

[Official Gazette July 12, 1983.]

1. In a shiftable storage means including a plurality of movable stacks,supporting means for each of said stacks, including a reversibleelectric motor and two relay means for each of said stacks forcontrolling the direction of the motors and stacks, and a plurality ofsafety switches secured to the sides of each movable stack for cuttingoff the current to the motors when the stacks move too close to eachother; the improvement which comprises: a normally open pair of relaycontacts mounted on one of said relay means for completing a bypasscircuit around a safety switch on an adjacent stack for permitting bothstacks to be moved in unison in a desired direction to open a spacebetween stacks.
 2. A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidnormally open contacts are closed whenever the relay, on which saidcontacts are mounted, is activated.
 3. A storage means as claimed inclaim 1 wherein all the safety switches are each respectively connectedin series with an operating winding on said relay means for stopping themotor whenever a stack closes an access aisle and its safety switch isoperated by contact with the adjacent stack.
 4. A storage means asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said bypass circuit includes the winding ofsaid relay means, a pair of normally closed contacts on a second relaythat remains unactuated during a shifting operation, said normally opencontacts, the closed safety switch adjoining the open aisle, and asource of alternating current power.
 5. A storage means as claimed inclaim 1 wherein one of said relay means for controlling the direction ofthe motors applies A.C. power to send the stack in one direction and theother of said relay means for controlling the same motor applies A.C.power to send the motor in the reverse direction.
 6. A storage means asclaimed in claim 5 wherein one of said normally open relay contacts ismounted on each one of said relay means except the relay means thatcontrols the left hand movable stack to move to the right and the relaymeans that controls the right hand movable stack to move to the left. 7.A storage means as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two safetyswitches mounted on each side of each of the movable stacks, saidswitches being connected in parallel.
 8. In a shiftable storage meansincluding a plurality of movable stacks, supporting means for each ofsaid stacks including a reversible electric motor and two relay meansfor applying A.C. electrical power to the motors to control their motionand direction, two safety switches secured to each side of each movablestack for cutting off the A.C. power to the motors when the stacks movetoo close to each other; the improvement which comprises; a normallyopen pair of relay contacts mounted on each of said relay means exceptthe relay means that controls the left hand movable stack to move to theright and the relay means that controls the right hand movable stack tomove to the left; each of said pair of relay contacts connected to abypass circuit around a safety switch for supplying control power to anadjacent stack for permitting both stacks to be moved in unison in adesired direction to open a space between stacks; said bypass circuitincluding the winding of said relay means, a pair of normally closedcontacts on a second relay that remains unactuated during a shiftingoperation, the closed safety switch adjoining the open aisle, and asource of A.D. power.